. >> reporter: here in the united states the threat of cervical cancer has gone done significant but in under developed countries it's still a real threat. >> most of these countries it's the leading cause of cancer in women and leading cause of death in women. it's a huge problem. . >> reporter: a problem that often goes undetected until it's to late. a professer at john's hopkins has spent a lot of time in africa reaching out to women in need. when a woman develops cervical cancer there are no symptoms until it's advanced. by then the ability to treat it is often gone. >> reporter: because of a low cost technique that uses vinegar and a flash right they are getting a second chance. an organization came up with the idea to fight cancer. >> you swab the cervix with vinegar for a minute and then look. precancer lesions generally will show up as a white legislation with the application. >> reporter: if treatment is necessary it can be done at the same visit with that piece of equipment that freezes the affected area. >> that's a simple technique. it's done with usually with co2 in a ta